A Different Strategy to a Bioregenerative Life Suppport and Energy System – Overview, 1st Developments and Perspectives OHB System AG Dr. K. Slenzka TM-0026-SYS_02_Vorlage Präsentation

OHB System AG ISLSWG_Torino_2015Seite 2 Chart 2 Introduction to the ModuLES Concept

OHB System AG Introduction to the ModuLES Concept Modular Life- Support and Energy System Research program for a Biological Life Support & Energy System National initiative funded by the German Aerospace Agency University research groups were partitipating : Industry: ISLSWG_Torino_2015 Seite 3

OHB System AG Introduction to the ModuLES Prgramme ISLSWG_Torino_2015 Seite 4 The ModuLES Programmatic Approach is based on Ecological Principles Ecological Principles and Definitions Environment - all living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) factors in total Ecology = 1. Autecology - how individuals interact with abiotic factors 2. Ecology of a Population 3. SynEcology - includes communities of living organisms Ecosystem = functional unit of the abiotic environment and a community of living organisms

OHB System AG Seite 5ISLSWG_Torino_2015 Introduction to the ModuLES Prgramme ModuLES vs. Traditional Approach??? top-down ?  ecosystem simulation (An ecosystem is all the living and nonliving things in a certain area and how they interact) ? OR bottom-up ?  ModuLES

OHB System AG Modular Approach for next Generation BLSS ISLSWG_Torino_2015 Seite 6 Introduction to the ModuLES Prgramme

OHB System AG Bottom-up Approach Generic overview of a BLSS → Which components do we need? Systemsbiology thinking → Distinct functions of each component 1 st Moduar approach → Interchangeable components 2 nd Moduar approach → Interfaces between components Every module will be investigated independently ISLSWG_Torino_2015 Seite 7 Introduction to the ModuLES Prgramme

OHB System AG From bottom up to a Biological Life Support System (BLSS) Distinct function of each module Interfaces to other modules Kowledge about in- and output Module Input Output Feedback loop Concentration, massflux and rates ISLSWG_Torino_2015 Seite 8 Introduction to the ModuLES Prgramme

OHB System AG Systems Overview used in microgravity (first test in parabolic flight) contol over cultivation parameters meassure all relevant variables The photobioreactor as a core of ModuLES  The most efficiant Photobioreator in respect to CO 2 uptake to O 2 output and useability + Lightenergy ISLSWG_Torino_2015 Seite 9

OHB System AG Aquatic photosynthesis and the capabillity of microalgae Choice of organism for 1st Module Chlamydomonas reinhardtii Unicellular green microalgae Well understood Model organism for photosynthesis research Fully analysed genome Standard lab application for analytical tools Low viscosity of culture media Carbon free culture media Broad range of environmental condition ISLSWG_Torino_2015 Seite 10

OHB System AG Systems overview The Photobioreactor Culture Volume 2 L ISLSWG_Torino_2015 Seite 11

OHB System AG Systems Design Systems operation pH value →CO 2 saturated / unsaturated media supply Liquid flow→ chemostatic process Temperature→ Feedback controled peltier circuit Controlled parameter: Growth rate of micro algae = Feed of fresh culture media = Removal of used culture liquid ISLSWG_Torino_2015 Seite 12

OHB System AG Systems overview Illumination LED Illumination triggered by manual contol Wavelenght addresses absorbtion of photosystem I and II Blue light at a peak of 450 nm / Red light with a peak of 680 nm Optional: warm white light (1st flight) Proportion of 80-90% red and 10-20% blue light Light intensity can vary between 0–300 µmol photon/m 2 /s ISLSWG_Torino_2015 Seite 13

OHB System AG Systems Design Optical Sensor System Disolved O 2 of the culture media (fluorescence quencing) Disolved CO 2 of the culture media (fluorescence quencing) pH Value of the culture media (fluorescence quencing) Optical density of the culture media (at 750 nm wavelenght) Photosynthestic activity (PAM) O 2 concentration inside the gas loops (fluorescence quencing) CO 2 concentration inside the gas loops (fluorescence quencing) ISLSWG_Torino_2015 Seite 14

OHB System AG Sampling Unit 12 x sterile Syringe Pre-filled with a RNA fixation solution 5 ml sample volume Constant flow- through of cell culture Sample taking at desired timing Automatic suction mechanism Systems overview ISLSWG_Torino_2015 Seite 15

OHB System AG Filtration Unit Systems overview ModuLES PBR Harvesting Bag Collection Bag Filter Concentrated Biomass Filtered Medium Media Processing Biomass Processing ISLSWG_Torino_2015 Seite 16

OHB System AG Parabolic flights (2x) Test and evaluation ISLSWG_Torino_2015 Seite 17

OHB System AG Profile of dO 2 in liquid and response to light steps (2 nd campaign) Fig. 13: Dissolved O 2 as response to light steps during 1 st flight day of 2 nd campaign; threshold concentration of 317 mbar pO 2 shown by shaded area; black lines indicate light step changes Results – 2 nd parabolic flight campaign Seite 18 ISLSWG_Torino_2015Seite 18

OHB System AG Oxygen production rates OPR during 1 st flight day of 2 nd campaign Fig. 15: Volumetric oxygen production rate OPR in mmoL/(L*h) during 1 st flight day of 2 nd campaign Results – 2 nd parabolic flight campaign Seite 19 ISLSWG_Torino_2015Seite 19

OHB System AG Next Steps ISLSWG_Torino_2015 Seite 20 -Closing the Media Loop - MediaRecycling Unit -Closing the "Algae Loop" - Algae convertion to useful recycling poducts -Contamination Control - antimicrobial coatings -Add a Consumer and/or Producer Module -Resize the whole system to a Spaceflight adjustable hardware size. -Closing the Media Loop - MediaRecycling Unit -Closing the "Algae Loop" - Algae convertion to useful recycling poducts -Contamination Control - antimicrobial coatings -Add a Consumer and/or Producer Module -Resize the whole system to a Spaceflight adjustable hardware size.

OHB System AG Next Steps - Potential Near-term Roadmap ISLSWG_Torino_2015 Seite ModuLES is open for Cooperations

OHB System AG This project was founded by the Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Energie (BMWI) through the DLR Space Management 50WP1211. Points of contact : Dr. Klaus Slenzka Dr. Markus ISLSWG_Torino_2015 Seite 22